Chapter 1183: Seemingly Real, Seemingly Illusory

Zhang Jiuxiao, dressed in a light green robe, looked very refined. On his chest hung not a Master Teacher emblem, but an Appraiser's emblem, with seven shining stars indicating his status.

Accompanying him was an elderly man, appearing to be over sixty years old. He also wore a seven-star Appraiser's emblem, and his cultivation had already reached Saint 4-dan, giving him an extraordinary demeanor.

"This guy... he's an appraiser too?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

He had personally witnessed Zhang Jiuxiao writing in the air, knowing his profound skill in calligraphy and painting. He hadn't expected him to also reach the seven-star level in appraisal. As expected of the number one genius in Qingyuan Empire, he was indeed more formidable than imagined.

"President Mu, long time no see!" Wu Shi greeted the elder with a smile.

"Wu Rufeng, you didn't invite me, nor did you come to see me. Have you already forgotten your old friend's kindness?" The elder playfully punched Wu Shi, scolding him with a laugh.

"How could I? I've only just returned myself and have been handling some matters..." Wu Shi said as he approached.

"It seems this must be the President of the Appraiser Guild..." Seeing the two exchange whispered pleasantries, their familiarity evident, Zhang Xuan nodded. As a seven-star appraiser addressed as "President" by Wu Shi, his identity was easy to guess.

Just as he was about to observe the President more closely, he felt a gaze fixed intently on him. Zhang Xuan looked up to see Zhang Jiuxiao staring at him, a trace of hostility in his eyes. Although it wasn't very strong, with his mind cultivation at 25.1, comparable to an eight-star master teacher, he could easily sense it.

"Hostility? I haven't offended him, have I?" Zhang Xuan wondered.

They had only met once, and to avoid misunderstanding, he had even deliberately shouted "Go!" to encourage him. With such a friendly attitude, it was fine not to reciprocate, but to show hostility... why?

"I am Zhang Jiuxiao. May I know your name?" Just as Zhang Xuan was lamenting the difficulty of being a good person, the young man approached and asked with clasped fists.

"Zhang Xuan!"

"Zhang Xuan? Are you the new Head of Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy? I've heard of your deeds; you're a genius!" Hearing the name, Zhang Jiuxiao realized, "No wonder your mind cultivation is so extraordinary. To easily pass the Trial of the Heart Bridge and govern an academy, a strong mind cultivation is indeed essential!"

He finally understood who that six-star master teacher he had always wanted to meet was. He had heard some of Zhang Xuan's various feats, and he was indeed a genius among geniuses. However, no matter how talented, he was still only a six-star master teacher, far inferior when compared to Zhang Jiuxiao himself.

"It's just the kindness of the academy's teachers and students; it's a bit beyond me. I'm actually planning to resign..." Zhang Xuan waved his hand. Since Head Zhang Yinqiu of the Master Teacher Academy had arrived, he had already intended to resign, but everyone wouldn't allow it.

"Resign? That's right. At your age, lacking experience, directly becoming the Head of a Master Teacher Academy would indeed not reflect well on the academy's reputation!" Zhang Jiuxiao nodded.

"Uh..." Zhang Xuan shook his head helplessly, realizing that his modest words had been taken seriously. He immediately lost interest in conversing with the other party. Just as he was about to leave, he heard the other party's voice continue.

"Wu Shi bringing you to this appraisal event shows he values you highly... I wonder, Master Zhang, have you studied appraisal?"

"Appraisal... I've dabbled in it a bit!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"And what star level have you reached?" Hearing that he had studied it, Zhang Jiuxiao paused, then looked over.

"To my shame, only five stars!" Zhang Xuan forced a smile. Compared to other professions, he had read fewer books on appraisal, so he had only reached the five-star level, which wasn't particularly high.

"Five stars? Actually, for your age, that's not bad... It shows you have a talent for it. If you study hard in the future, it's possible you could even surpass me!" Zhang Jiuxiao nodded, then scoffed, "By rights, a five-star appraiser isn't qualified to attend this grand event. However, Wu Shi must be indulging you, bringing you along to broaden your horizons!"

"I suppose so!" Zhang Xuan replied casually.

"Hmm." Zhang Jiuxiao continued, "This appraisal conference has invited many powerful figures, leaders in their respective professions. Many treasures might be brought out then. Since we've met and share the same surname, how about this: stay behind me later. If there's anything you don't recognize or understand, you can ask directly. We are all master teachers, so guiding you and helping you improve your appraisal knowledge is only right! Perhaps after this, you'll have a sudden enlightenment and take the opportunity to challenge for six-star appraiser."

"Thank you for the trouble!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Don't mention it! Although I am a master teacher, I've put a great deal of effort into the appraisal profession. I'm quite well-known in the Qingyuan Empire Appraiser Guild and have some influence!" Zhang Jiuxiao said calmly, his tone subtly revealing an unspoken arrogance. He had been somewhat deflated by Zhang Xuan during the Trial of the Heart Bridge previously, but now, having regained some ground, his thoughts were clear, and he felt immensely relieved.

"Hmm..." Zhang Xuan nodded. Just as he was about to say more, he saw Wu Shi and President Mu simultaneously look over. The latter, full of smiles, said, "We were so engrossed in conversation that I forgot to introduce you all properly. This is Zhang Jiuxiao; he started learning appraisal with me three years ago and reached seven stars in such a short time. His talent is truly astonishing... You are all master teachers, so I presume introductions aren't necessary!"

"Master Zhang is exceptionally talented, so no introduction is needed, of course!" Wu Shi nodded, then called out to Zhang Xuan, "President Mu, this is my friend, Master Zhang Xuan. Don't let his youth deceive you; he is also a rare genius. He was originally planning to visit you for an appraiser's examination, so since we've met, let's make the introduction early!"

"Friend? I thought he was your junior..." President Mu was surprised.

Wu Shi was already seven or eight hundred years old. He had initially thought that the young man in his twenties was a newly accepted disciple or a junior. He hadn't expected him to be a friend. Such a designation implied communication between peers, showing significant respect.

"Master Zhang is so immensely talented, calling him a friend is already me reaching high. How could he be my junior? I wouldn't dare..." Wu Shi quickly waved his hand. This individual before him was a Heaven-Acknowledged Master Teacher and a Heaven-Acknowledged Saint. Calling him a friend was indeed presumptuous. If he were to call him a junior, Wu Shi himself would be scared to death.

"Oh?" Seeing his old friend's seriousness, which didn't seem like feigned modesty, President Mu looked at Zhang Xuan with curiosity. His earlier slight disregard turned into solemnity. "Since Master Wu holds him in such high regard, then he is a friend of mine, too!"

"President Mu, you're too kind!" Zhang Xuan clasped his fists.

"No need to be polite! Master Wu and I have been old friends for many years!" President Mu smiled, then turned to Zhang Jiuxiao. "Jiuxiao, although you two are similar in age, since Master Zhang is my friend, he is also your martial uncle. Call him 'Uncle'!"

"Uncle..." Zhang Jiuxiao swayed, almost spitting blood. He had just offered to look after Zhang Xuan and let him learn by following behind, only for this instruction to come... His face flushed red with suppressed anger, but he didn't faint.

"Alright!" President Mu nodded. "Master Wu, little brother Zhang, everyone else has almost arrived. Please come inside!"

"Okay!" Wu Shi nodded. The group followed closely behind him and entered the hall.

The hall was over thirty meters in diameter, with a long rectangular table in the center. As expected, both sides were already filled with people, most of them elderly with flowing white beards, similar in age to President Mu. Two familiar faces were also seated there: President Ruan of the Spirit Awakener Guild and President Wei of the Startling Flight Master Guild.

President Mu took a few steps to the head of the table, sat down, and then gestured, "Please, have a seat!"

"Okay!" Zhang Xuan nodded and sat next to Wu Shi, in a slightly subordinate position.

"Jiuxiao, stand behind me!" Seeing Zhang Jiuxiao about to sit down, President Mu frowned and instructed.

"Yes!" His face twitched, Zhang Jiuxiao nodded and stood behind the President, a look of resentment on his face. He had hoped to regain some prestige against Zhang Xuan with his seven-star appraiser status, but before he could even begin to display it, he had already been suppressed.

"Now that everyone has arrived, my friend, could you please bring out your item?" After settling everyone, President Mu looked at a person seated across the long table and said. This individual wore a bronze mask, concealing their face, but judging by their exposed skin, they appeared to be between forty and fifty years old.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you are all influential figures in Qingyuan City, and with Hall Master Wu of the Master Teacher Pavilion present, I naturally trust your reputation. However... let me state upfront, this item is only for your appraisal, for you to find a way to decipher the formation patterns left on it. As for what is sealed inside, or what you discern, I have no intention of selling it... Of course, if you can help me solve the problem, there will surely be a generous gift!" The bronze-masked individual spoke. Their voice was somewhat hoarse, clearly altered and deliberately disguised to prevent recognition.

"Rest assured, if I brought them here, they are certainly trustworthy!" President Mu waved his hand.

"I trust President Mu's character!" The bronze-masked individual nodded. With a flick of the wrist, a scroll appeared before everyone. As it was gently unrolled, a landscape painting immediately unfolded. Lush green mountains seemed close at hand, with birds and beasts chirping and streams murmuring, giving a lifelike, dreamlike sensation. It was as if a real mountain stood nearby; one could even feel a gentle, warm aura emanating from it.

"This is... an eight-star calligraphy and painting, it has already reached the 'seemingly real, seemingly illusory' realm..." Seeing the painting on the scroll, an elder abruptly stood up, his eyes red with excitement, his body trembling. This elder, clad in a Calligrapher-Painter's robe with seven shining stars on his chest, was likely the President of the Calligrapher-Painter Guild, as Wu Shi had mentioned earlier.

"'Seemingly real, seemingly illusory'?" Zhang Xuan wondered.

"'Seemingly real, seemingly illusory' is the ability of the eighth realm of calligraphy and painting. When a painting reaches this realm, it appears indistinguishable from reality to ordinary people. The most crucial part is that the painting can automatically absorb spiritual energy, maintaining the vitality within it, and even allowing it to cultivate. Over time, it can even 'jump out' and become like a living being... In other words, calligraphy and painting that reach this realm are truly like real things, seeming real yet not entirely real, seeming illusory yet not entirely illusory!" Wu Shi explained in a hushed voice.

"That powerful?" Zhang Xuan was shocked. A series of faint patterns secretly emerged in his eyes as he gazed at the painting before him.